Index tabs and method and apparatus for making the same



Dec. 25, 1962 w. F. CUNNINGHAM 3,070,482

INDEX TABS AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME vFiled Feb. 5, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec 25, 1962 w. F. CUNNINGHAM 3,070,482

INDEX TABS AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME Filed Feb. 5, 1959 4 Sheets-.Sheet 2 Dec. 25, 1962 w. F. CUNNINGHAM INDEX TABS AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE: SAME Filed Feb. 5, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I Dec. 25, 1962 3,070,482

\ INDEX TABS AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME W. F. CUNNINGHAM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 5. 1959 INVENTOR. 21 M nnam/ United States Patent C 3,070,482 INDEX TABS AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME Walter F. Cunningham, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Superior Tabbies, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 1959, Ser. No. 791,462 9 Claims. (Cl. 156-269) This invention relates in general to index tabs, and more specifically to novel composite flexible strips providing improved separable tabs and a new apparatus and method for making the same.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of a composite flexible strip comprising separable index tabs having transparent skirt or wing portions detachably secured by pressure-sensitive adhesive to a mounting strip, with the tabs including parallel filler strips spaced from each other to define a hinge portion, whereby folding of a tab along such hinge portion, after removal from the mounting strip, will bring the filler strips into face-toface relationship and enable attachment of the skirt portions to an edge portion of a sheet of paper, or the like, to present an accurately positionable, strong, smooth and exible tab which does not require moistening for its attachment.

Another object of the invention is to provide such' a composite strip in which the mounting strip readily may be employed as an insert for the tab.

A further object is the provision of such a composite strip from which tabs of desired length readily may be severed.

Another object is to facilitate selectively variable positioning of the tab to cause the filler strips to define an insert-receiving pocket of desired height above the edge of the sheet to which the tab is attached.

A further object is the provision of such a tab construction which may be employed as a file folder tab protector.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a novel method of making such a'composite strip accurately and economically.

Another object is to provide a new and simplified method for accurately mounting an index tab and an insert therefor at a selected position on the edge portion of a sheet of paper, or the like. y

A further important object is `to provide novel apparatus for making such a composite strip which is readily adjustable to vary selectively the specific characteristics of the different strips employed therein and their order of attachment to each other.

Other objects and advantages of the present improvements will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a bottom plan view of a composite strip embodying the features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an end portion of the composite strip of FIG. 1; p

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken through the strip substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an indexing tab that has been severed from the strip of FIGS. 1-3 illustrating an intermediate step in the preferred method of lattaching the same, with an insert, to the edge portion of a sheet of paper;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the index tab in its mounted position of use, with an insert partially removed therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view (similar to FIG. 2) of a portion of a modified composite strip, with various component strips thereof broken away at different points;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a tab cut from the'coinposite strip of FIG. 6 as applied as a file folder tive adhesive over its entire inner surface.

lCC

tab protector, with an insert shown in a position partially removed therefrom;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to FIGS. 2 and 6 of a further modified form of composite strip;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one of the color indicating tabs removed from the strip of FIG. 8 and mounted for use on the edge portion of a sheet of paper;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of another modified form of composite strip which provides a plurality of pre-printed index tabs;

FIG. 1l is a side elevation of a preferred form of apparatus for continuously making the composite strips of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a novel transverse cutter employed in the machine ofk FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a detail horizontal section taken substantially on the line 13--13 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of a portion of a modified form of transverse cutting and punching mechanism that may be substituted for the cutter of FIG. 13 in the machine of FIG. l1;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view in exploded form with end portions of the various layers of the composite strip of FIGS. 1-3 separated and spaced vertically'from each other; and

FIG. 16 is a transverse section like FIG. 3 of a portion of that composite strip greatly enlarged.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES l through 5, one form of index is therein disclosed which embodies the features of this invention. FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 illustrate that such index or a plurality thereof may be formed either as a single blank or a blank strip intendedy for sale in folded or rolled form and adapted to be cuttransversely to provide index tabs of any selected length. FIGURE 1 illustrates the bottom or reverse side of this blank strip 21, while the obverse side thereof is shown in FIGURE 2, which is'that side that is exposed as the outer portion of the index tab in its final position of use, as in FIGURE 5.

The blank 21 is made up of four different plies. The

.first of these comprises a base member or backing strip 22 of a transparent polyester film, such as the DuPont ilm marketed under the trademark Mylar, which is provided with a suitable coating of clear, pressure-sensi- This inner surface of the backing strip 22 is the lower surface thereof as seen in FIGURE 3. The second or next ply of the blank strip 21 comprises a transparent cellulose strip 23 (FIGURE 11), which is split longitudinally and separated (in a manner later to be described) to form two parallel ller members or strip portions 24 and 25 that ,are adhered to the inner or lower adhesive surface of .the backing strip 22, extend laterally therebeyond, and

are spaced from each other to expose a narrow longitudinally extending portion 26 of the adhesive covered surface of the backing strip 22. This portion 26 of the backing strip may be used for tab-retaining purposes, in a manner later to be described, and also comprises the hinge portion of the instant foldable index tab.

The third or next lower ply of the blank strip 21 cornprises two marginal strips 27 having a suitable transparent and pressure-sensitive adhesive coating on both sides and adhered to the outer marginal portions of the cellulose strips 24 and 25 on their lower or inner surfaces. The fourth or lower ply of the blank strip 21 comprises a mounting strip 28 of a suitable polyethelene-impregnated release paper to which the lower or exposed surfaceof the marginal strips 27 are temporarily adhered and from which the same may readily be separated when a portion of the blank strip 21 is to be employed for index tabbing purposes.

' rAs best seen in FIGURE 1, the lower or exposed surface of the mounting strip 28 preferably is-provided along one marginal edge with a suitable scale 29 in inches and fractions thereof inscribed thereon in any desiredmanner. The blankstrip 21 shown in FIGURE lfis divided longif tudinally into,portions .six inches'in length by transverse lines of s everance31preferably cuhentirelythrough the members 22-27 and lthrough allhut the exposedQmargina-l portions `of the'mounting'strip 23, soas to render Vthe blank 21 readilyseparable into portions six inches long. The scale 2 9l .facilitates cutting theseportionsinto separate tabspfselected length. As Aalso Vbest seenin FI"- URE 1, themounting strip 28 is'perforated'alongparallel longitudinal lines 32, 33, 34, and 35. .Intermediate adjac'ent onesiof saidlines fof perforation, the mounting .strip 28l is perforated in longer" increments on longitudinal lines 3 6, 37 and 3 3. In the modification herein illustrated-inFIGURESflf5,linesf32 and 33 are each spaced 1A ofan inc h from the line 36, the lines 33 and 34 areeach "spaced /z'of an inch` from the line 37, and the lines 34 `and 3 5 are,spaced, respectively, 1/ s of an inch from the line 38. Withsuch'a/n arrangement, Vthe mounting strip 23 may readily beseveredalong the lines 32, 33 to provideian index tab insert foldable on the `line 36 to comprise a double walled insert 1A of an4 inch in vertical height, assveen in FIGURES. Likewise, severing o f the mountingstrip along the lines -33 and`34v and folding such severed portion along the line 37 will provide a two walled -tab insert I1/2 vin h inV height. An insertla inch in h eight 'sirnilarly may beprovided by severing the mounting strip 28 along the lines'3`4 n'd 35 andfolding such severed portion alongthe line 38,.

It will b e appreciated tliatthe rear surface (upper Asurface in FIGURE 1) of the mounting'strip ZSpreferably ywill have typedfor otherwise suitably inscribed thereon inthe proper portion Athereof sch'indicia as itis desired to expose in the'ii'nal position of'use. 'Such' markings "or inscriptions may easily be made on the mounting strip 28 before separation thereoffromthemarginal strips 27 or transveseseverance of theblankls'tripjl, It also Ywill beunderstood that if the portion of themnnting strip 28 selected for use as the tab insert is folded along'the associated line 36, 37 0138, indicia applied to rthetwo portionsthereof divided from each'other bysfaid lines 'niu'st'be inverted wtih r` e spe `:t to eachother, in order for the sar'ne to beriead properly from opposite sides of the index 'tab when in use. This will best be` understood with reference 'to'FIGURE 5 wherein reference ,numeral 39 designates suchA indicia inscribed on oneexposedtace of the tab'insert,4 and it Ywill be appreciated 4that* the same indicia should be `.so inscribed on the reverse or ,other "exposed'surface ofthe insert as to be readable from the "otherside ofthe tab. Of course, when desired, indicia maybe printed on therearor lower surface of the mount- ,ing strip 28. The construction illustrated in FIGURES ,175, however, is that provided for custom indexing, including the application ofdesired indicia and forming of index tabsof any selected length.

Inconnection with the abovedescrihed.arrangement enablinguseof the mounting strip 28 for the index tab insert, the upper surface,(as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3) of the cellulose strip portion V24 preferably has three colored lines`41, 42 and 43 inscribed thereon in longitudinally extending parallel relationship, with the outermost line 41 Aadjacent the inner edge of the associated marginal strip I 27 and the spacing of the lines 42 and 43 therefrom being '14s of an inch and 1A of an inch, respectively. Since the cellulose strip 24 is transparent, these guide lines t1- 43s= may b e inscribed on either side thereof. Also, if desired, ,those lines may be inscribed on the under or inner side of the backing strip 22, this arrangement being illustrated in its accomplishment in FIGURE ll. In using the blank strip 21, the user may sever the end portion thereof by tearing the perforated end extensions -sflhsfirst lin@ Qi .Severance 3,1andhat end pqrtiontheh may have the desired indicia. inscribed on a selected part of the mounting strip 28, either in script or by use of .a typewriter. If it is desired to have the index tab insert l/2 inch wide, the central portions between the lines of perforation 33 and 34 will be used. The thus inscribed portion of theblank strip 21 then is `cut off to the proper length, and that part of the mounting strip`28 on which the indicia are inscribed is separated along its marginal linesof perforation 33,34 and folded along its central line 37 to form an indiciabearing member or insert which is designated in FIGURES 4 and 5 by reference numeral 44.

f At the sametime'or after ysuch removal of the insert 44,the remainder of the mounting strip 28 on the severed portion is removedand the resultingindex tab, indicated generally in FIGURES 4 and 5 by reference'numeral 45, is placed on a supporting Ysurface with the adhesive mar- .ginal strips 27 facing upwardly. The sheet 46 to which the index tab is to be attached then is pressed onto the adhesive strip 27 on the cellulose strip 24, with`the upper edge of the sheet extending `along the outer guide linc'41. The insert 44 then may beV positioned by pressing its central fold into contact with the central exposed portion 26 of the adhesive inner surface of the backing strip 22, in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4. The tab 45 the'n is folded over to present the filler strips 24,'25. in face-toface relationship and the other adhesive strip 27 pressed against the upper surface of the sheet 46 to complete the mounting of the tab thereon, As shown in FIGURE 5, theinsert 44, although thus retained by the adhesive on the central hinge portioi. 26, may readily be removed from the tab 45 and another insert substituted therefor. FIG- URES alsoillustrates the fact that the tab 45 may be mountedin the manner above described onthe sheet 46 and the insert 44 thereafter slid into position between the two'opposed" cellulose st'rip's 24, 25. It will heappreciated that the spacingof the strips 24, 25 from each otherto provide the exposed portion 26 is such as to be substantially equalto the double thickness. of the insert 44 plus the thicknesses of the two adhesive strips 27. As a result, ,that hinge p o'rtionjZ eliminates `any bulkiness and permits the tab 45 to be attached smoothly to the sheet, 4 6 as illustrated inFIGURES. Also, it will be appreciated that the'insert 44 may be torn apart along tis center line of perforations, `which means that the de- ,sire'd indicia39may be typed on the mounting strip 2S without requiring reversal of the blank strip '21 in the typewriter. The,optional.use of the guide lines 42 or' 43, instead of line 41 asillustrated in FIGURE4, will result in an insert-receiving space within the tab 45 3/s or' 1A ,of an inch, respectively, in height. When either of thoseheights are selected, it will be understood that the desired indicia 39 ,should be inscribed on the mounting strip 28 between the lines of perforation 32 and, 33 or 34 .and35,'` respectively. Regardless of the active height of the tab abovelthe adjacent edge` of the sheet46'to which it is attached, the skirt portions thereof, which are those .lower `parts that are attached tothe sheet 46, will never interfere with any, printed material, or the like, that may appear onthe sheet 46 because of their being' transparent. This modification of FIGURES '1-5 'thus comprisesa v blank strip ffrom which index tabs of desiredlengthmay be cnt asneeded, and which'includesa mounting strip, for maintaining the tab in useable condition until it is to b e applied to a sel,ect ed sheet, which also may be used as an indiciafreceiving insert. Since no moistening is required to mount the tab because of its pressure-sensitive adhesive coated and transparent skirt or wing portions, it tliusuf/illbe; seen ,that a p en, pencil or typewriter is the .only equipment needed,` other `than a pair of scissors if the selected length is less than the distance between the trans- `verse lines 31, in order' to prepare and amount this novel index tab.

In@ medificrinaf FIGURES sand 7` isy intended for ,specificusev as,a file folder tab protect or whichalso may be gemplyed. to.. mount an indiciarbearngcinsert. Like the modification of'FIGURES 1 5, the blank strip designated in FIGURE 6 generally by reference numeral 47 comprises a four-ply structure. ply in this ligure is a base member or strip 48 of polyester film, such as Mylar, which is substantially identical to the previously described strip 22 and, similarly, has its entire lower surface covered with a suitable transparent and pressure-sensitive adhesive. The second ply comprises a narrow colored strip 49, and the third ply comprises parallel filler members or strip portions 51 and S2, spaced from each other at 53, which are similar to the previously described strips 24 and 2S except that they are narrower than the backing strip 48, so that marginal portions of the latter are exposed to provide adhesive covered skirt or wing sections which function in the same manner as the adhesive strips 27 previously described. The fourth ply of this blank strip 47 is a mounting strip 54 similar to the mounting strip 28, being made of a suitable polyethylene-impregnated paper, except that it is perforated longitudinally on three parallel lines 55. The middle one of these lines of perforation 55 extends along the center of this mounting strip 54 and the other two such lines are spaced therefrom slightly less than the width of the wider cellulose strip 52. Thus, indicia 39' may be inscribed on the rear surface of the mounting strip 54 between these lines of perforation 5S and, after the strip 47 has been severed transversely, tearing of the mounting strip along the lines of perforation 55 will provide an indicia bearing member or insert 56, as illustrated in FIG- URE 7. The severed portion of the blank strip 47 when removed from the mounting strip 54 comprises a file folder tab protector 57. This should be applied to a file folder 58 (FIGURE 7) by placing the tab on a supporting surface with its adhesive coated skirt or wing portions uppermost and placing the lile folder on the skirt portion adjacent the narrowest strip 51, using the colored strip 49 as a guide extending along the upper edge of the tab 59 of the iile folder. The insert 56 then may be placed over vthe tab 59 and the protector 57 folded along the spacing or hinge portion S3 into its position of FIGURE 7. Or, if desired, the protector 57 may first be so folded and attached and the insert 56 subsequently slid into the pocket defined by the cellulose strip 52 and the file tab 59.

As will be appreciated from the illustration in FIGURE 7, when the tab 57 is so mounted on the sheet or file folder 58, the strip 49 provides a color indication visible from both sides of the tab. The width of the filler strip 52 is approximately equal to the height of the tile folder tab 59. Since this filler .strip 52 is transparent, it will be understood that the tab 57 may be employed solely as a. file folder tab protector without using the insert 56. It also will be understood that this modification of FIG- .URES 6 and 7 may be made with the filler strips 52 of the same width and the spacing 53 slightly increased, so

that an insert 56 may be mounted on each side of the tab S9 between it and the strips 51 and 52, respectively.

i' And it also will be appreciated that the modification of FIGURES 1-5 likewise may be employed as a file folder tab protector.

The modification illustrated in FIGURE 8 also cornprises a four-ply blank strip, which is designated generally The first or uppermost by` reference` numeral 61, but is so formed as to constitute a pluralityof identical colored placement tabs, indicated generally by reference numeral 62, that are readily vseparable therefrom and adapted to be mounted on a sheet 63.in the manner shown in FIGURE 9. As in the preceding modifications, the uppermost ply of the strip 61 comprises a base member or backing strip 64 of a suitable polyester film, such as M5/lar, the under surface of which is coated throughout with a transparent and pressure-sensitive adhesive. Secured thereto is the second ply which comprises a colored strip 65 of any suitable material that has its lower surface coated with an adhesive. The third ply comprises a pair of filler members `or strips 66 of any suitable material that are parallel to f-each other and spaced from each other at 65 to provide vsensitive Iand transparent adhesive.

the same hinge construction previously described with re,- spect to the other modifications. The fourth ply of the strip 61 comprises a mounting strip of the same material as the strips 28 and 54 but which is severed longitudinally along a line 69, preferably somewhat olf center. It is also perforated along longitudinal lines 71 that are spaced transversely a .short distance outwardly from the marginal edges of the backing strip 64. This blank strip 61 also is completely severed parallel transverse lines 72 which extend laterally beyond the lines of perforation 71 and define the separate placement tabs 62. With this con struction, it will be appreciated that one or more of the tabs 62 readily may be removed, either with or without the associated portion of the mounting strip 68, and after the latter has been peeled therefrom, the tab may be folded along its hinged portion 67 and secured to a shee 63 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 9.

The modification shown in FIGURE 10 also comprises a four-ply blank rstrip which is designated generally by `the reference numeral 73. As in the other modifications,

the uppermost ply in the strip 73 comprises a base member or backing strip 74 substantially identical to the prev-iously described strips 22, 48 and 64 which, likewise,

has its lower surface covered with a suitable pressure- As in the modification of FIGURES 6 and 7, this blank strip 73 employs a narrow colored strip 75 as its second ply, but the latter is secured to the backing strip 74 'along its longitudinal ,center line. The third ply of the strip 73 comprises a pair vof filler members of cellulose strips76 vparallel to and `spaced fro-m each other to provide a hinge spacing 77 under the colored strip 75. Either on the upper surfaces of these strips 76 or on the backing strip 74 are printed `or otherwise inscribed a series of indicia, shown in FIG- URE l0 as `comprising the letters of the ,alphabet78.

.These are disposed in regularly spaced relationship longitudinally of the strip `and in tumbled` relationship relative .to the center line thereof so that, when subsequently mounted for use, the indicia may be read properly from opposite sides of the resulting tab. Consequently, `it will be appreciatedthat the iiller strips 76 should be vropaque so that the opposed indices 78 will not visu-ally interfere with each other. As in the modifications" of FIGURES 6-9, the backing strip 74 extends laterally of `the strip 73 well beyond the outer 'margins of the parallel 'but having no perforations therein.

At equally spaced distances longitudinally, of the strip l73,' lines of severance 81 throughthe members 74, 75

and 76 are provided which are parallel to each other and .define the longitudinal edges of a series of preprinted Y standard index tabs. Bothto facilitate removal of these tabs from the mounting strip 79 for desired pla-cement in similar fashiony to` the tab 62 shown 'in FIGURE 9 'Land to provide an index tab having its outer corners indication readily readable fro-m each side of the sheet, '-but the strip 75 provides a color indication also visible from each side of the sheet.

vThe novel method of this invention for mlakirig 'the composite strips hereinbefore describedv comprises the steps of presenting a pair of parallel filler strips, which are in laterally spaced relationship relative to each other, to an intermediate strip Iand superposing thereonat a predetermined lineal speed la backing strip having its lower surface coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, feeding a strip of release paper at such predetermined lineal speed and superposing the backing, filler and intermediate, strips thereon, 'and severing thelatter'strips itransversely forja distance less than the widthof `therelease paper on `lines spaced Vfrom each other a predetermined `dis-tance longitudinally `of the strips. This provides a ,composite strip which is readily marketable inat, folded or rolled form from which tabs `may easily be 'removed 'from the release paper and, accuratelyapplied to aselected sheet as strong, smoothpand ilexibleptabs ofmini- -mum thickness. One of the most importantlsteps inrthis method is that of maintaining the filler strips parallel and Ain properly spacedrrelationship, sincewthe resulting hinge portion thus formed must be very accurately located in order to prevent bulging and misalignment of opposite edges when the tab is mounted in its position of use. This method of making the novel composite strip has Athe further advantage of enabling desired printing to be accomplished on selected portions of the strip, such as on Veither or both sides ofthe backing, filler or release paper strips, and in any desired'form, including the scale 29, -directions on visually exposed Aportionsnoftlie obverse nside of` the mounting strip, the guide lines 41-43, or the indices `78. The method of making the composite strip lof this invention yalso includes, punching of such apertures as those designated by reference numeral 82'before the punched portion `of thestrip is presented to the mounting strip, whichfsimplis `rernoval'of those portions punched out to form the apertures,

InfFIGURES 11, 12 and 13 one jform of novel apparatus,forcarryingout the method of this invention is "disclosed whichniay be used to make the different forms of composite .strips contemplated. Y This apparatus ,mounted'uponandsupported by a frame of any suitable construction which is designated generally by reference numeral 83. Mounted in well known manner on a lower lshelf portion. of the, frame 8 3 is a source of operating powerfin the, form of an electric motor 84 which drives fa y wheel4 85 through the agency of a belt 86. The fly wheel`85 fis secured to a'driveshaft rotatably supported in Many well known'manner bythe machine frame 83 and lhaving asprocket wheel 87, attached thereto. This wheel `87 Ydrives'achain88 which drives one portion of a double ,sprocket wheel 89`secured to a main drive shaft 91 suit- 'ably journallefd in `upstanding portions of,V the frame 83. The mainfdrive shaft 91 `also hasafeed roller 92 mounted. thereon for rotation therewith which comprises partof -the'drive means for movingthe various 'strips longitudinally Aat a, predetermined speed of travel. `Cooperating with this feed roller 92 is a pressuregrolle'r 93 mounted on a hriontlshaft above the roller 92 in any suitable manner. c c ,i

c Mounted freely on a transverse shaft V94 is a roll of the polyester film strip 22 which is drawn over a guide pulley or hanged roller 95 bythe driving action of therolls 92., 493. Asshown'in FIGURE 1 1, the guidelines 41-43 of the strip construction illustrated in FIGURES 1 5 may be inscribed upon a surface of the backing strip 22 by means ,of a plurality of inking members 9,6, preferably inthe form of ball point pens, which are mounted in "asuitable bracket 'and spring-urged into inscribing engagement with thejstrip 22i [as it passes overfthe. guide pulley 95. It will be understood that this pulley 95 is 'freely rotatably mounted in anysuitable manner. c 4 A roll of the cellulose, acetate base or other desired material forming the strip 23 is freely rotatably mounted adjacentthe upper portion of the frame 83 byav shaft `97 carried in any suitable vr'nanner by the latter. .The @strip 23 iswithdrawn from this roll under a guide pulley 98, similar toand mounted in the same manner asr the guide pulley 95. From the guide pulley or anged roller 98 ,the`strip'23 passes over a cylindrical platen 99 which into Athe 'previously described filler strips 24 and 25. These strips 24, 25 are then carried under a guide and spacing means in the form of a thin wheel 103 which is freely rotatably mounted on the frame 83 in any suitable manner, the strips 24, 25 being moved thereunder at the same predetermined lineal speed as the backing'strip 22 by the feed and pressure rolls 92, 93. As bes't illustrated in FIGURE 13, it will be seen that the thin wheel 103 'tapers inwardly from a centrally located perpiheral edge to its base thickness which is equal to the spacing 26 desired to be maintained between the strips 24 and 25. It is preferred that this wheel 103 be formed integrally with, or as a part of, a shaft 104 comprising a part of the guide and spacing means. The wheel 103 then should extend radially beyond the shaft 104 substantially only for the thickness of the strip 23. With this arrangement, the wheel 103 will insure proper separation ofthe strips 24, 25 without interfering with any other strip or strips that likewise may be carried under the freely rotatable shaft 104 for integration with the strips 22, 24 and 25 by the rollers 92, 93. I

In this connection, one or more rolls of strips for the intermediate strips previously described are adapted to be freely rotatably mounted on a shaft 105 carried by the frame 83. In FIGURE ll, the arrangementof the various rolls of strips illustrated is that employed in making the composite strip of FIGURES 1-3. Therefore, the rolls so mounted on the shaft 105 comprise two r'olls of the adhesive-coated, laterally marginal, intermediate strips 27 spaced from each other (as shown in FIGURE 3) latcerally by any suitable guide collars mounted on the shaft 105. These strips 27 are drawn over a suitable guide roll 106, which is freely rotatably mounted onthe frame 83, by the feed and pressure rolls 92, 93 for incorporation into the composite strip.Y A` roll of release paper comprising the mounting strip 28 s freely rotatably mounted on a shaft 107 carried in any suitable manner by the lower portion of the frame 83. This strip 28 is car ried upwardly over a pressure roller 108 and under an idler roller 109, both of which are mounted for free rotation on the frame 83 in any suitable manner. `From there Ithe strip 28 passes over a flanged roller 111 rotatably mounted on a shaft 112 carried by the frame 83`which, as will` be explained hereafter, may be positionally interchanged with the pressure roller 108. OFrom the flanged guide roller 111, the strip 28 passes under idler rolls 113 and 114 and under and around a cylindrical cutter platen 115, all of which are freely rotatably mounted in suitable manner on the frame 83. Cooperating with this platen 115 are one or more serrated perforating cutter wheels 116 which are freely rotatably mounted on a transverse shaft 117 and spaced thereon by suitable spacing collarsfto perforate the strip 28 longitudinally on the lines 32-38, or 55 (FIGURE 6) or 71 (FIGURE 8). Asimilar but solid cutter wheel likewise may be mounted on this shaft 117 for severing the mounting strip 68 along the longitudinal line 69 when making the modification illustrated in FIG. 8. As in the case of the other component strips, the strip 28 is'drawn along its guided-path of travel from its roll by the driving means comprising the feed roller 92 and the pressure roller 93. 'Ihese latter rolls also function to adhesively secure the several component strips together to form the same into a composite strip.

As previously explained, the invention contemplates transversely severing such composite strip,-preferably for a ldistance less than thefull width of the mounting strip, on transverse lines that are'spaced from each other longitudnally ofthe strip Pat predetermined intervals. One form of apparatus for accomplishing such transverse cutting is that illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12, which comprises a cylindrical platen 118 and a slitter rotatably cooperating therewith and indicated generally by reference numeral 119. A s seen in FIGURE. 11, the cylindrical platen 118 is mounted upon, and secured in any suitable manner to, a transverse shaft 121 journalled in the machine frame 83. Also mounted upon, and secured against rotation relative to, the shaft 121 is a double sprocket wheel 122, one portion of which engages and is driven by a chain 123 meshing with one portion of the double sprocket wheel 89.

The slitter 119 similarly is secured against rotation relative to, and mounted upon, a -transverse shaft 124 journalled in the machine frame above the shaft 121. It is preferred that any well known manner of so rotatably mounting the shaft 124 be employed which may facilitate tine vertical adjustments thereof relative to the platen 118. Suitable gearing is interposed between the shafts 121 and 124, so that rotation of the former and the platen 118 from the main drive shaft 91 through the agency of the chain 123 will be imparted to the slitter 119. As best seen in FIGURE 12, this slitter 119 comprises a cylindrical body having a plurality of transversely extending and radially disposed guide slots 125 defined by parallel wall portions 126 and spaced from each other circumferen-tially of the cylindrical roller. Each or any selected one or more of these slots 125 is adapted to slidably receive a knife blade 127 which may be retained in operative position therein in any suitable manner, as by means of set screws 128 extending through suitable tapped apertures in one of the associated side walls 126.

Suitable supplementary feed mechanism and discharge conveying means are provided which, as shown in FIG- URE ll, may comprise a belt conveyor 129 and a pressure roller 1311 cooperating therewith. A drive roller 131 for mounting the receiving end of the belt conveyor 129 is rotatably mounted in any suitable manner and has a double sprocket Wheel 132 rigidly secured thereto which is driven by a chain 133 engaging one portion of the previously described double sprocket wheel 122. At its discharge end, the belt conveyor 129 is supported by an idler roller 134 rotatably mounted in any suitable manner, and the lower run of the belt is drivingly engaged by a take-up roller 135 which is driven from the double sprocket wheel 132 through the agency of a chain`136. Arms 137 at each side of the machine pivotally support the pressure roller 130 so that the weight of the latter insures driving contact of the composite and transversely slit strip with the belt conveyor 129.

It thus will be seen that the composite strip may have only certain component strips thereof transversely slit with such an arrangement, as on the lines 81 of the modi- Iication of FIG. 10, or it may be transversely cut completely through, but for a distance less than the full width of the mounting strip, as illustrated at 31 in FIGURE 1 and 72 in FIGURE 8. The lateral extent of the resulting lslits will be determined by the effective length of the knife blade or blades 127. At the same time, the knife blade may be serrated radially of the slitter 119 adjacent its ends to accomplish the perforations in the composite strip illustrated at the ends of the lines of severance 31 in FIGURE 1. The guide slots 125 are spaced circumferentially to effect transverse slitting at minimum increments (as illustrated in FIGURE 8) when a knife blade 127 is mounted in each of them. In the embodiment herein shown, the circumference of the slitter 119 is substantially 12 inches, so that two diametrically opposed blades 127 are employed, as illustrated in FIGURE 12, for effecting transverse slitting of the composite strip on lines 31 (FIGURE l) which are spaced 6 inches from each other. It will be readily understood that any desired intermediate spacing of the transversely extending slits may be effected by proper selection and positioning of knives 127 in the appropriate slots 125 of the slitter 119.

To effect vany desired printing on the composite strip, in addition to the inscribing of the guide lines by the pens 96, a printing wheel or type carrying roller 138 may be employed in conjunction with the pressure roller S previously described. To this end, the wheel 138 is shown as removably secured to a transverse shaft 139 which is provided with a driving sprocket wheel 141 that' is rotated by a chain 142 driven by a sprocket wheel 143 secured to the shaft 124. A splined shaft 144 similar to the shaft 139 is rotatably mounted inthe machine frameand carries a sprocket wheel 145 which also isn engaged and driven by the chain 142. The illustration in FIG- URE 11 shows these parts mounted in such manner as to imprint desired'indicia on selected portions of the upper or obverse surface of the mounting strip 28 which will be visually exposed after completion of the composite strip. If it is desired to imprint indiciaon the lower or reverse side of the mounting strip, such as the scale 29 of FIGURE 1, it is only necessary to rearrange the printing mechanism just described as follows. The printing wheel 138 is slidably removed from its shaft 139 and place on the splined end portion of the auxiliary shaft 144, and the pressure roller 108 and the flanged guide roller 111 are then interchanged positionally. The strip 28 then is threaded around the repositioned guide roller 111 under the idlerroller 109 (as shown in FIG- URE l1) and between the repositioned pressureroller 108 and printing wheel 138, the center line distance between the shafts 112' and 144 being the same as that between the shaft on which the pressure roller 108 is shown mounted in FIGURE 1l and the shaft 139. The under or reverse side -of the strip 28 then will be in contact with the printing wheel 138.

The apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 14 comprises a modifiedvform of mechanism intended to be substituted in the machine of FIGURE l1 for the slitter 119 and its immediately associated parts. To this end, the same as illustrated as being employed to make the composite strip shown in FIGURE 10. The backing strip 74 is brought between the feed roller 92 and pressure roller 93 in the same manner as the backing strip 22 shown in FIGURE 1l. The narrow colored strip 75 and the filler strips '76 are drawn between the rollers 92, 93 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 14. It will be appreciated that this may require slight repositioning or modification of the arrangement ofthe slitting mechanism 99-102 of FIGURE ll. The mounting strip 79 in the device of FIGURE 14 is not presented to the rollers 92, 93. Instead, -a similar pair of feed and pressure rollers 146 and 147 are mounted in any suitable way in spaced relationship to the rolls 92, 93 and driven in similar manner to the latter.

interposed between these two sets of rollers is a p unching means comprising a vertically reciprocable punch 14S normally held in an elevated and inoperative position by a spring 149 against a cam 151 secured to a transverse shaft 152 that is rotatably mounted in any suitable manner in the machine frame. .Drivingly secured to this shaft 152 is a pulley wheel 153 adapted to be driven by a belt 154 either from the pulley wheel 153 adapted to be driven by a belt 154 either from the pulley wheel 85, a modification thereof, or in any other suitable manner. The lower end of the punch 14S, when depressed against the action of the spring 149 by the cam 151, cooperates with a die platen 155 to punch an aperture of selected configuration through the several strips 74-76 as the same are drawn over this die platen 155 by the feed and pressure rollers 146, 157. Secured to the under side of the die platen 155 is a suction exhaust pipe 156 which functions in well known manner to insure disposal of the blanks or aperture-defining central portions cut from the strips 74-76 by this punching means.

After such apertures, which are similar to those shown at 82 in FIG. 10, are so punched, the strips 74-76 are adhered to the mounting strip 79 by the feed and pressure rollers 146, 147, and the resulting composite strip is continued through the machine by such feed means as the pressure roller and belt conveyor 129 previously described. Such movement of the composite strip carries it across an anvil 157 suitably mounted on the frame of the machine for vertical adjustment. Also mounted on the machine frame and above this anvil 157 is a transversely disposed slitter knife 158v carried on the bottom end of a solenoid plunger 159 that normally is held in a raised inoperative position by aspring 161. The solef noid 162 when energized causes a sharp downward movement of the plunger 159 against the action of the spring 161 a predetermined distance, as limited by the head of the plunger. The anvil 157 thus may be adjusted to enable the knife 158 to slit through the strips 74-76 only, if desired, without cutting the mounting strip 79. In order to actuate this slitter means in timed relationship to the operation of the punching means, a second cam 163 is mounted on the shaft 152 of the punching means which instantaneously closes a normally open switch 164 connected in the supply line 165 to the solenoid 162. This results in instantaneous energization and substantially immediate de-energization of the solenoid in timed relationship to the operation of the punch 148.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts of the article and apparatus and in the steps in the method without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the steps and forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim: y

1. The method of making a composite strip continuously, comprising presenting a pair of parallel filler strips in laterally spaced relationship relative to each other to an intermediate strip and superposing thereon at predetermined lineal speed a backing strip having its lower surface coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, feeding a strip of release paper at said predetermined lineal speed and superposing said backing, filler and intermediate strips thereon, and severing said latter strips transversely for a distance less than the width of said release paper on transverse lines spaced from each other longitudinally of said strips a predetermined distance.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said pair of ller strips are formed by cutting a single strip longitudinally and laterally separating the cut edge portions.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said composite strip comprises marginal skirtV portions on each side separably attached to said release paper, inscribing longitudinally extending and laterally spaced guide lines on said composite strip adjacent an inner edge of one of said skirt portions to assist in subsequently selectively attaching tab portions of said composite strip to edge portions of receiving sheets.

4. In the method of claim 1, punching apertures through said backing, ller and intermediate strips centrally of said transverse lines to remove aperture-delining central portions therefrom prior to superposing saidstrips on said strip of release paper.

5. A device for making a composite strip for subsequent use as separable index tabs, comprising means for rotatably supporting a plurality of rolls of strip material, with the strip on at least a rst one of said rolls having a surface coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and that on a second one of said rolls being release paper releasably adherable to such adhesive, means for severing a third strip longitudinally and spacing the resulting sep'- arate portions laterally to provide parallel filler strips, and means for removing said strips from said rolls and adhesively securing the same together, with said filler strips intermediate the strips from said rst and second rolls.

6. A device for making a composite strip for subsequent use as separable index tabs, comprising means for freely rotatably supporting a plurality of rolls of strips, including a first strip having a surface coated with a transparent and pressure-sensitive adhesive, a second strip of release paper releasably adherable to such adhesive, and a pair of laterally separated parallel filler strips, drive means for removing said strips from said rolls, guide means for insuring parallel alignment of said strips and attaching the same in superposed relation to each other to form a composite strip with said release paper as a mounting strip for said other strips and extending laterally therebeyond, and

severing means for transversely cutting through said other strips at predetermined points spaced longitudinally of the composite strip without severing marginal portions of said mounting strip.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said severing means comprises a cylindrical roller having a plurality of transversely extending and radially disposed guide slots spaced from each circumferentially thereof, and cutter blades selectively positionable in said slots.

8. In a device according to claim 6, means for punching apertures through said other strips at said longitudinally spaced predetermined points before attachment thereof to said mounting strip.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said sever ing means comprises an electrically reciprocable knife disposed in predetermined spaced relationship longitudinally of said composite strip relative to said punching means, and switch means operable by said punching means for controlling operation of said severing means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,961,079 Pettis May 29, 1934 2,210,411 Johnson et al Aug. 6, 1940 2,255,019 Wolters et al Sept. 2, 1941 2,391,539 Avery Dec. 25, 1945 2,596,179 Seymour ..Y.. May 13, 1952` 2,607,711 Hendricks Aug. 19, 1952` 2,819,195 Huber Jan. 7, 1958 2,893,144 Cunningham July 7, 1959 UNITED STAT'ESPATENT. OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,070,482 December 25, 1962 Walter lFI, Cunningham lt is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below Signed and sealed this 27th` day of 4August 1963D EEAL) ttestz RNEST w. SWIDER g DAVID L- LADD ttesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1.THE METHOD OF MAKING A COMPOSITE STRIP CONTINUOUSLY, COMPRISING PRESENTING A PAIR OF PARALLEL FILLER STRIPS IN LATERALLY SPACED RELATIONSHIP RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER TO AN INTERMEDIATE STRIP AND SUPERPOSING THEREON AT PREDETERMINED LINEAL SPEED A BACKING STRIP HAVING ITS LOWER SURFACE COATED WITH PRESSURE-SENSITIVEADHESIVE, FEEDING A STRIP OF RELEASE PAPER AT SAID PREDETERMINED LINEAL SPEED AND SUPERPOSING SAID BACKING FILLER AND INTERMEDIATE STRIPS THEREON, AND SEVERING SAID LATTER STRIPS TRANSVERSELY FOR A DISTANCE LESS THAN THE WIDTH OF SAID RELEASE PAPER ON TRANSVERSE LINE SPACED FROM EACH OTHER LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID STRIPS A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE. 